‘Every day is a bonus’, says Princess Anne after horse accident
The Princess Royal has said that “every day is a bonus”, seven months after a horse accident left her in hospital with concussion.
The Princess spent five nights in hospital in June, with head injuries that suggested she had been struck by a horse as she walked around her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.
The exact circumstances remain unknown, as she was unable to recall what had happened and there were no witnesses.
Speaking publicly about the accident for the first time, following a two-day visit to South Africa, the Princess Royal revealed that still had no memory of it.
She said she had been making her “regular visit” to see her chickens, but added: “I don’t have any idea what I was doing in the field, because I never normally went that way.”
The 74-year old added: “It just reminds you, shows you – you never quite know, something [happens] and you might not recover.”
Asked about any lasting ill effects, she joked: “Apparently not, at least I don’t think so. As far as I know nobody else thinks so – [or] they haven’t been honest enough to tell me yet. So far so good.
“You are sharply reminded that every day is a bonus, really.”
She suggested she had had a lucky escape and had been “very close” to losing her faculties.
The Princess was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol by ambulance and spent five nights as an in-patient before being discharged to convalesce at home.
Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, 69, her husband, accompanied her on the 30-mile journey to hospital and made multiple visits during her stay, taking a selection of her favourite foods in a cool-bag.
Fewer than three weeks after the accident, the Princess – who is known for her strict work ethic – began a phased return to her duties, bruising still visible on her face.
The Princess, who was once again the hardest-working royal figure last year after completing 217 engagements, said she had no plans to retire.
Asked about the possibility of stepping back from her official duties, the King’s sister said: “It really isn’t written-in, no. It isn’t really an option, no, I don’t think so.
“You’re jolly lucky… if you can continue to be more or less compos mentis, and last summer I was very close to not being. Take each day as it comes, they say.”
The Princess’s husband was due to visit South Africa with her, but missed the trip after suffering a suspected torn ligament while working on the Gatcombe estate.
